When do bedbugs bite, what marks do they leave on the body? - briefly
Bedbugs usually feed during the night, attaching to exposed skin while the person is asleep and withdrawing blood for several minutes. The resulting bite is a tiny, red, itchy bump that may appear singly, in a line, or clustered together.
When do bedbugs bite, what marks do they leave on the body? - in detail
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are nocturnal feeders that usually emerge after the host has fallen asleep. Their activity peaks between midnight and 6 a.m., but they may bite any time a person is immobile for at least 5–10 minutes. Feeding begins with the insect locating a warm area of skin, inserting its beak, and releasing saliva that contains anticoagulants and anesthetic compounds. The bite itself is painless; the reaction occurs later as the immune system responds to the saliva.
The skin lesions produced by bed‑bug feeding follow a recognizable pattern:
- Small, raised, red papules, typically 2–5 mm in diameter.
- Arranged in linear or clustered formations, often referred to as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” patterns.
- Itching intensity varies; most individuals experience moderate to severe pruritus that may persist for several days.
- Secondary signs such as swelling, blistering, or hyperpigmentation can develop, especially in sensitive skin types.
- In rare cases, an allergic response leads to larger wheals or urticaria.
The onset of visible marks generally occurs 12–48 hours after the bite, coinciding with the histamine-mediated inflammatory response. Lesions may persist for up to two weeks before fading, leaving temporary discoloration. Repeated exposure can result in increased sensitivity, causing larger or more inflamed reactions.